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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Peter on November 6, 2001, at 16:45:37
I'm experiencing that each dose of Adderall only lasts about 3 hours for me. When it is working, I'm not racy or speedy, just calm and focused, but when it wears off I'm EXTREMELY drowsy and spaced out. This poses a great problem for me, since I'm only supposed to take 2 doses a day, and during the late afternoon through the evening I feel like a debilitated zombie. I've already heard some great feedback about Adderall from some very helpful people on this sight. One such person mentioned Adderall XR once-a-day tablets. I ran it by my pdoc who said if I respond well to normal Adderall, we might switch to XR later down the road. But he said most people report better response to normal Adderall. Since I just started the med 4 days ago, I began on a low dose (.25mgx2), and I'm increasing every 4 days until I get up to 5mgx2, but I heard that a higher dose does not mean a longer duration. As for now, I'm not seeing my pdoc again in a few weeks, so I'd appreciate any suggestions regarding how to maintain a functional energy level from late afternoon on, so that I don't continue to come home from work and crash on the couch. My family hates it, and I don't blame them. Thanks.
Peter
Posted by JohnX2 on November 6, 2001, at 23:32:45
In reply to Adderall Fatigue, posted by Peter on November 6, 2001, at 16:45:37
I took 20mg+ for a good lasting effect.
I'm not convinced that raising the dose won't
help.Adderall killed my apetite and I inadventely
lost a lot of weight because I wasn't eating food
and this means less fuel for my body and fatigue.
My doctor told me to eat more food.good luck,
john
> I'm experiencing that each dose of Adderall only lasts about 3 hours for me. When it is working, I'm not racy or speedy, just calm and focused, but when it wears off I'm EXTREMELY drowsy and spaced out. This poses a great problem for me, since I'm only supposed to take 2 doses a day, and during the late afternoon through the evening I feel like a debilitated zombie. I've already heard some great feedback about Adderall from some very helpful people on this sight. One such person mentioned Adderall XR once-a-day tablets. I ran it by my pdoc who said if I respond well to normal Adderall, we might switch to XR later down the road. But he said most people report better response to normal Adderall. Since I just started the med 4 days ago, I began on a low dose (.25mgx2), and I'm increasing every 4 days until I get up to 5mgx2, but I heard that a higher dose does not mean a longer duration. As for now, I'm not seeing my pdoc again in a few weeks, so I'd appreciate any suggestions regarding how to maintain a functional energy level from late afternoon on, so that I don't continue to come home from work and crash on the couch. My family hates it, and I don't blame them. Thanks.
> Peter
Posted by Cressida on November 10, 2001, at 18:03:42
In reply to Re: Adderall Fatigue » Peter, posted by JohnX2 on November 6, 2001, at 23:32:45
Adderall definately suppresses one's appetite. I should know after six months of eating little more than 1 to a maximum of 2 meals a day. Eating more regularly will proably help a lot like JohnX2 posted.
The information below is FYI only...It's from the manufacturer of Adderall, Shire Pharmeceuticals.
"Alkalinizing agents -
Gastrointestinal alkalinizing agents (sodium bicarbonate, etc.) increase absorption of amphetamines. Urinary alkalinizing agents (acetazolamide, some thiazides) increase the concentration of the non-ionized species of the amphetamine molecule,thereby decreasing urinary excretion. Both groups of agents increase blood levels and therefore potentiate the actions of amphetamines."*some, if not all antacids are alkanizing agents
So you know, I've never tried taking Adderall with antacids or an alkanizing agent for the purpose of making Adderall last longer. I'd be interested in seeing how much it "potentiates the action". Good luck and be careful.
Posted by michael on November 10, 2001, at 20:57:59
In reply to Re: Adderall Fatigue » Peter, posted by JohnX2 on November 6, 2001, at 23:32:45
Just my 2 cents worth - I don't find that larger doses last any longer... Personally, I too get about 3 hours out of ritalin - and 4 hours out of dexedrine.
Btw - I may be completely mistaken on this, but isn't .25mg a ridiculosly low dose? But I guess if Peter's getting results at that dose, so much the better. (I can take a nap after 20mg of ritalin).
One other idea - I didn't find the extended release ritalin (neither ritalin sr, nor metadate) to be much better. And for some reason, they made me clench my jaw all of time. However, if you can switch to dexedrine, I did find that the spanuales(sp?)/extended release worked for about 8 hours.
This, of course, is just my personal experience... good luck.
michael>
> I took 20mg+ for a good lasting effect.
> I'm not convinced that raising the dose won't
> help.
>
> Adderall killed my apetite and I inadventely
> lost a lot of weight because I wasn't eating food
> and this means less fuel for my body and fatigue.
> My doctor told me to eat more food.
>
> good luck,
> john
>
>
> > I'm experiencing that each dose of Adderall only lasts about 3 hours for me. When it is working, I'm not racy or speedy, just calm and focused, but when it wears off I'm EXTREMELY drowsy and spaced out. This poses a great problem for me, since I'm only supposed to take 2 doses a day, and during the late afternoon through the evening I feel like a debilitated zombie. I've already heard some great feedback about Adderall from some very helpful people on this sight. One such person mentioned Adderall XR once-a-day tablets. I ran it by my pdoc who said if I respond well to normal Adderall, we might switch to XR later down the road. But he said most people report better response to normal Adderall. Since I just started the med 4 days ago, I began on a low dose (.25mgx2), and I'm increasing every 4 days until I get up to 5mgx2, but I heard that a higher dose does not mean a longer duration. As for now, I'm not seeing my pdoc again in a few weeks, so I'd appreciate any suggestions regarding how to maintain a functional energy level from late afternoon on, so that I don't continue to come home from work and crash on the couch. My family hates it, and I don't blame them. Thanks.
> > Peter
Posted by Peter on November 10, 2001, at 23:48:50
In reply to Re: Adderall Fatigue, posted by michael on November 10, 2001, at 20:57:59
> Btw - I may be completely mistaken on this, but isn't .25mg a ridiculosly low dose? But I guess if Peter's getting results at that dose, so much the better. (I can take a nap after 20mg of ritalin).
>
> Hi Michael - thanks for the advice on the dexedrine Span's - I'll check it out. As for the adderall dose, yes, .25mg adderall is ridiculously low, perhaps not even possible! What I meant to say was that my doctor started me off on 2.5mg(decimal in wrong place) twice a day. Now, I'm up to taking it 3x a day (5mg+2.5+2.5). As for the fatigue, I'm taking what all you guys have said into consideration, and I'll keep in touch. Thanks for all your help.
Peter
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